Block device to design a building system and a method of forming a block device

Abstract

A user configurable modular building system is provided. The user configurable modular building system includes a plurality of assemblies, a plurality of units, and a plurality of blocks. The plurality of assemblies includes a plurality of building components that perform building functions. Assemblies are selected from the plurality of assemblies to form a plurality of units. The plurality of units includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units with different layouts of the selected assemblies. Units are selected from the plurality of units to form a plurality of blocks. The blocks are portions of a building. Blocks are selected to form the building based on a mix and layout of units. A method of designing a building system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to perform steps to design a building system are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A block device comprising:
 a plurality of assemblies, each assembly of the plurality of assemblies configured to perform a building function, the plurality of assemblies represent a plurality of different functions with multiple assemblies of the plurality of assemblies serving the same building function, the building function is general or specific, wherein the plurality of assemblies serves building functions of a complete fully functional building; and   a plurality of units, each unit of the plurality of units having a design including general and specific building functions, assemblies from the plurality of assemblies selected to perform the general and specific building functions of the unit, wherein one assembly is selected for each specific building function and multiple assemblies are selected for each general building function, wherein the plurality of units include at least one of a studio unit, a one bedroom unit, and a two bedroom unit,   wherein the plurality of units are connected to form a portion of a building.   
     
     
         2 . The block device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of different building functions include a building foundation, floor panels, wall panels, a building roof, building fenestrations, a building enclosure, building exterior accessories, building vertical conveyances, building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, terminal utilities, building casework, kitchens, bathrooms, and building interior finishes. 
     
     
         3 . The block device of  claim 1 , wherein the general building functions of the unit include wall panels and floor panels. 
     
     
         4 . The block device of  claim 1 , wherein the specific building functions of the unit include a bathroom and a kitchen. 
     
     
         5 . The block device of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the building includes at least one of a central portion, an end portion, and a corner portion. 
     
     
         6 . The block device of  claim 1 , wherein each assembly is considered at least one of standard, configurable, automated, or custom. 
     
     
         7 . The block device of  claim 6 , wherein a standard assembly includes elements that are fixed by the building system. 
     
     
         8 . The block device of  claim 6 , wherein a configurable assembly includes elements that have different options within the building system. 
     
     
         9 . The block device of  claim 6 , wherein an automated assembly includes elements that are unique to the building system and are resolved during a design phase of the building system. 
     
     
         10 . The block device of  claim 6 , wherein a custom assembly includes elements that are designed for a particular project. 
     
     
         11 . A method of forming a block device comprising:
 forming a plurality of assemblies, each assembly of the plurality of assemblies configured to perform a building function, the plurality of assemblies represent a plurality of different functions with multiple assemblies of the plurality of assemblies serving the same building function, the building function is general or specific, wherein the plurality of assemblies serves building functions of a complete fully functional building;   forming a plurality of units, each unit of the plurality of units having a design including general and specific building functions, assemblies from the plurality of assemblies selected to perform the general and specific building functions of the unit, wherein one assembly is selected for each specific building function and multiple assemblies are selected for each general building function, wherein the plurality of units include at least one of a studio unit, a one bedroom unit, and a two bedroom unit,   selecting units from the plurality of units; and   combining the selected units.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of different building functions include a building foundation, floor panels, wall panels, a building roof, building fenestrations, a building enclosure, building exterior accessories, building vertical conveyances, building mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, terminal utilities, building casework, kitchens, bathrooms, and building interior finishes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the general building functions of the unit include wall panels and floor panels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the specific building functions of the unit include a bathroom and a kitchen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each assembly is considered at least one of standard, configurable, automated, or custom. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a standard assembly includes elements that are fixed by the building system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a configurable assembly includes elements that have different options within the building system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein an automated assembly includes elements that are unique to the building system and are resolved during a design phase of the building system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a custom assembly includes elements that are designed for a particular project. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program product recorded thereon and capable of being run by a processor, including program code instructions for a process for creating a block by implementing steps comprising:
 forming a plurality of assemblies, each assembly of the plurality of assemblies configured to perform a building function, the plurality of assemblies represent a plurality of different functions with multiple assemblies of the plurality of assemblies serving the same building function, the building function is general or specific, wherein the plurality of assemblies serves building functions of a complete fully functional building;   forming a plurality of units, each unit of the plurality of units having a design including general and specific building functions, assemblies from the plurality of assemblies selected to perform the general and specific building functions of the unit, wherein one assembly is selected for each specific building function and multiple assemblies are selected for each general building function, wherein each unit has general building functions including wall panels and floor panels and each unit has specific building functions including a bathroom and a kitchen, wherein the plurality of units include at least one of a studio unit, a one bedroom unit, and a two bedroom unit,   selecting units from the plurality of units; and   combining the selected units.